FABERGE´ IN HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

Lynette Proler, world renowned expert on Faberge’, gives Molly Glentzer of the Houston Chronicle an exceptional tour of the exhibition.  Click here to read the article.

Exhibition ends July 15,2010.

Discover the spectacular designs of Carl Fabergé, a master goldsmith and legendary jeweler who is still celebrated for his inventive design and meticulous craftsmanship. Perhaps best known for the Imperial Easter Eggs created for the Russian Imperial family, the House of Fabergé also fashioned jewelry and luxurious gifts for most of the ruling families of Europe, as well as other wealthy patrons.

Highlights of the exhibit include:

Marvel: Fabergé from HMNS on Vimeo. 

To view the video click on the arrow

This diamond tiara was created by Fabergé c. 1890. The stunning briolette diamonds were a gift from Tsar Alexander I given to the Empress Josephine after she was divorced from Napoleon Bonaparte. This piece is one of only a few tiaras ever made by Fabergé.

Nicholas II Presentation Snuff Box, 1902 - one of my favorite pieces!

The Imperial Russian court was renowned for the lavish gifts presented to foreign dignitaries visiting Russia. Fabergé made hundreds of presentation boxes, but this is purported to be the finest. Made of gold and decorated with guilloché enamel and diamonds, the box features the cipher of Tsar Nicholas II on the cover. This box was presented by the Emperor to Leon Bourgeois, a French politician and statesman in 1902.Carl Fabergé perfected the art and technique of guilloché enameling.  

No jewelller since has been able to replicate Fabergé’s standards of guilloché enameling as well as the number of colours, said to be around 140.  His enameling techniques were divided into three main groups: opalescent, opaque and translucent.  Translucent enameling was frequently used on the Tsars’ Imperial Easter Eggs.  The enamel was applied over a metal surface – gold usually for the Imperial Family - but silver, and other metals were utilized.  The engraving was etched into the metal using a technique called ‘engine turning’ accomplished by lathe-like machines.  The House of Fabergé developed many patterns as can be seen in the above presentation box. On the oval lid Fabergé engraved a sunburst pattern, and the sides are decorated with wavy patterns.  As many as 6 different colours of translucent enamel would have to individually be applied and fired at very high temperatures.   Each layer was fired separately with the succeeding firing at a slightly lower temperature so as not to melt the previous layer. The end effect was startling.  The sparkling flashes of colours brought each object to life.   

The Russian Revolution in 1917 was the beginning of the end.   In 1918, The House of Fabergé was nationalized by the Bolsheviks, and in early October the stock was confiscated. The House of Fabergé was no more.  Carl Fabergé escaped with his life but died shortly thereafter. 

 Purchase Tickets

Finally available!

THE FABERGE' IMPERIAL EASTER EGGS - By Lynette G. Proler.

Order your own signed copy.  

The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs, by Lynette Proler, Tatiana Fabergé and Valentin Skurlov.  This book is currently out-of-print and has become a rare collector’s treasure.  A limited number of books are available. Dust jacket and hard cover in mint condition. Blue cloth binding with gilt lettering. Each book is protected by Mylar cover.  All sales are final.  Let us know if you would like your book to be signed by Lynette Proler.

 

                    

                     Reviews:

Timed to coincide with the auction (of the Kelch Fabergé Easter Egg at Christies’) is the publication of yet another book on the subject, “The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs”. It is the first to incorporate the new findings on Fabergé from the Russian government archives.  This book is a collaboration of Tatiana Fabergé, Lynette G. Proler, a Fabergé dealer, who was also the principal writer, and Valentin V. Skurlov, who did extensive study on Fabergé in the official Russian archives.  What has come to light from this book is the stuff of soap operas.

  Rita Reif, New York Times, Sunday, March 30, 1997

Altogether, Peter Carl Fabergé and his craftsmen made 50 eggs for the czars from 1885 through 1916 according to “The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs”, which was co-written by Ms. Fabergé, Mr. Fabergé’s great-granddaughter, Tatiana Fabergé, Lynette G. Proler, and Valentin V. Skurlov….But, the Russian Imperial Court documents show eight unaccounted-for eggs.  …Nonetheless, Lynette G. Proler, a Fabergé  dealer who co-wrote the book, says the authors are hot on the trail of one missing egg.  Search the attic.

Tamar Hausman and Alexandra Peers, Wall Street Journal, April, 1997.

TO READ ABOUT ME CLICK BELOW!

The Imperial Russian court was renowned for the lavish gifts presented to foreign dignitaries visiting Russia. Fabergé made hundreds of presentation boxes, but this is purported to be the finest. Made of gold and decorated with guilloché enamel and diamonds, the box features the cipher of Tsar Nicholas II on the cover. This box was presented by the Emperor to Leon Bourgeois, a French politician and statesman in 1902.Carl Fabergé perfected the art and technique of guilloché enameling. 

No jewelller since has been able to replicate Fabergé’s standards of guilloché enameling as well as the number of colours, said to be around 140.  His enameling techniques were divided into three main groups: opalescent, opaque and translucent.  Translucent enameling was frequently used on the Tsars’ Imperial Easter Eggs.  The enamel was applied over a metal surface – gold usually for the Imperial Family - but silver, and other metals were utilized.  The engraving was etched into the metal using a technique called ‘engine turning’ accomplished by lathe-like machines.  The House of Fabergé developed many patterns as can be seen in the above presentation box. On the oval lid Fabergé engraved a sunburst pattern, and the sides are decorated with wavy patterns.  As many as 6 different colours of translucent enamel would have individually be applied and fired at very high temperatures.   Each layer was fired separately with the succeeding firing at a slightly lower temperature so as not to melt the previous layer. The end effect was startling.  The sparkling flashes of colours brought each object to life.  

The Russian Revolution in 1917 was the beginning of the end.   In 1918, The House of Fabergé was nationalized by the Bolsheviks, and in early October the stock was confiscated. The House of Fabergé was no more.